A crash involving a car smashing into a power pole has raised “plenty of concern”.

According to Cook Islands Police, the weekend’s relatively clean record was spoiled by a single crash late Saturday night, on the back road at Nikao.

Police were called to the scene at 12.26am. A car had smashed into a power pole.

The 17-year-old male driver told Police he had been drinking earlier, and fell asleep at the wheel. 

He was arrested for testing above the legal limit for alcohol.

Cook Islands Police spokesperson Trevor Pitt said there was “plenty of concern” surrounding this incident.

“He’s also not supposed to be driving those late hours as a Learner. 16-18 is Learner years,” Pitt said.

The teenager told Police thar he drank on the beach before driving home.

“He had attended a team bonding event earlier,” Pitt said.